Gotland Pony
Name:
Gotland Pony
Lifespan:
30-50+ years
Height:
12-12.2 h.h.
Appearance:
The Gotland pony has a light, slender body structure with slanting quarters and a low-set tail. The hind legs are described to be poorly developed but the hooves are tough and hard. Even with the disapproving hind legs, this pony has shown that it has other positive attributes that make it popular among horse enthusiasts.
Markings:
Yes
Color:
Brown, dun, black, chestnut, gray, and palomino.
Aptiude:
Everything
Where from:
Sweden
Facts:
Gotlands where the first mounts for the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria as well as Olympic Dressage competitor and medalist Ulla Haakanson.
The Russ is strong, healthy and long-lived (many live into their thirties!), energetic, intelligent and friendly.
The first pedigree-book for Gotland ponies was opened in Sweden in 1943. To improve the breed two Wales pony stallions have been accepted in it: Reber General and Criban Daniel. The pedigree was closed in 1971 after which only registered Gotland ponies have been accepted in it.
Until recently, with the coming of mechanization, the Gotland pony was extensively used by Swedish farmers for light draft work. Its relatively great strength and endurance adapted it to such work. At this time, there remains a herd of non-domesticated Gotland ponies. They live on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea off the Swedish coast in a forest at Lojsta.
Super fact:
In Sweden, on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, lives a herd of semi-wild horses, the Gotland Pony or 'Russ', as they are called locally. The breed has lived in isolation and has kept its moderate size and attractive, relatively primitive look since the Stone-Age.
Gotland Pony
Lifespan:
30-50+ years
Height:
12-12.2 h.h.
Appearance:
The Gotland pony has a light, slender body structure with slanting quarters and a low-set tail. The hind legs are described to be poorly developed but the hooves are tough and hard. Even with the disapproving hind legs, this pony has shown that it has other positive attributes that make it popular among horse enthusiasts.
Markings:
Yes
Color:
Brown, dun, black, chestnut, gray, and palomino.
Aptiude:
Everything
Where from:
Sweden
Facts:
Gotlands where the first mounts for the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria as well as Olympic Dressage competitor and medalist Ulla Haakanson.
The Russ is strong, healthy and long-lived (many live into their thirties!), energetic, intelligent and friendly.
The first pedigree-book for Gotland ponies was opened in Sweden in 1943. To improve the breed two Wales pony stallions have been accepted in it: Reber General and Criban Daniel. The pedigree was closed in 1971 after which only registered Gotland ponies have been accepted in it.
Until recently, with the coming of mechanization, the Gotland pony was extensively used by Swedish farmers for light draft work. Its relatively great strength and endurance adapted it to such work. At this time, there remains a herd of non-domesticated Gotland ponies. They live on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea off the Swedish coast in a forest at Lojsta.
Super fact:
In Sweden, on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, lives a herd of semi-wild horses, the Gotland Pony or 'Russ', as they are called locally. The breed has lived in isolation and has kept its moderate size and attractive, relatively primitive look since the Stone-Age.